“Signing Ozil is a big statement, but it was a complicated deal” – Wenger

Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal are now in a position where they can get top players, after they pulled off the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid this summer.

The Germany international joined the Gunners in a record-breaking €47million deal on transfer deadline day, following years of criticisms over Wenger’s reluctance to spend.

“Of course [it’s a statement],” Wenger said. “We had to go through some years with restricted financial potential and the target was to stay in the Champions League during this period.

“We were able to do it and now we are strong financially. The best thing is to spend the money in an efficient way. That means to strengthen the team and spend money you can afford to spend.”

Ozil is expected to make his debut for the North London club on Saturday against Sunderland, but the Arsenal boss is not certain if he will be in the starting 11.

Wenger also admitted that Ozil’s departure must have been linked directly with Gareth Bale’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu and expessed surprise at the La Liga’s side willingness to sell the midfielder.

“Honestly, I think it was linked with the Bale transfer,” Wenger added. “I don’t know why Madrid sold him – was it financial reasons? Was it because they had to let somebody go? I was surprised, yes.

“He’s already a great player but there’s room between 25 and 30 to become a dominant player. That’s the age range when you step up from very good to great.

“I wouldn’t say it was an easy deal. It was very complicated because the timing was short. On Sunday, just before the Tottenham game, I thought we had managed to do it. We were 90 per cent there.”